No Laws To Love: Part IX: Staring Is Rude
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke, nice to meet you," The dark haired boy bowed to his new classmates, smirking slightly as he caught at small figure in the front corner slide down in her chair slightly. He could have some fun with this matter, and at the same time, win this year's trophy.
Not that he was going through all this trouble for a trophy. It was his ego on stake. He would not lose this year. How humiliating it was the previous, when the arrogant red head's team beat his—and the other boy had the guts to step out. Sasuke fumed at the incident.
A small grin crept up on Furyuu's captain as he angled himself, looking away from Seito's captain.
"Ne, Uchiha-san, my team can beat yours, even without me. I'll put my alternative fighter in as me and claim Nara as vice-captain."
Sasukes hands clenched tightly, even without their captain, they won all three matches consecutively. If Sasuke can't get them as a team, he'll just have to tear the team apart…starting from their captain. And as notes from Haku goes, Sabaku has something going one with the cute class president of Kade.
His eyes shifted over to the far left at the slim figure fidgeting in her desk. Hinata noticed his gaze; it wasn't hard, since he wasn't trying to hide it at all.
Sasuke, was, after all, called a genius. The whole class saw the prolonged glance and exchanged: Sasuke's sweet smile, and Hinata immediate blush.
That was all he needed. This was, of course, a high school…and there, news travels fast.
Now how would Sabaku feel…when what he desires, cannot be his?
If it were humanely possible, Hinata would just like to disappear at that moment. She felt that all eyes were on her, expectantly as they watched the whole eye contact between her and Uchiha-san.
The brown haired girl beside her giggled when their teacher left them to their projects as she slid her desk beside Hinata's.
"I think he already likes you, Hina-chan," Tenten gushed, "AH! You're so lucky!"
Hinata shuddered at her friend's statement.
If only dear Tenten knew what had gone on two nights ago.
Hinata sat herself down beside Neji, leaving space for Hanabi, since the other girl had gone to get some snacks. Pulling consciously at her short dress, Hinata tried to concentrate on the screen ahead, knowing that something was watching her.
Neji was the first one to speak, turning around annoyed at the boy standing behind them, crossing his arm. He did not like the gaze the younger Uchiha was shooting at his cousin.
The timid girl turned around slowly to face the boy also. He was a guest, and she was the hostess, her parents would reprimand her for not treating a guest appropriately, though his stare was highly unnerving. At least Gaara's interested her. This one just scares her. For some reason, it seemed to hide an alternative motive to it.
He seemed to stare at her for centuries before Neji broke the silence, "Is there something wrong?" he asked, slightly irked.
Sasuke cast the other boy a smug look, "Is someone sitting there?" He pointed at the empty seat beside Hinata.
"A-Ah…" She had no idea what to say at that moment. It was Hanabi's seat, but she couldn't be rude to a guest!
"That's Hanabi's seat," Neji interjected, he absolutely didn't like this guy, "Why don't you sit over there." He gestured to the single couch chairs aligned at an angle from the large couch.
The Uchiha glared at him, "Ah, but due to my eyesight problems, I rather sit directly in front of the TV." With that, he invited himself to the seat right beside Hinata, who whimpered fearfully.
Neji scoffed and muttered something incomprehensible under his breath beside her, and Hinata calmed down.
It was just a weird premonition, that's all…right? There's nothing wrong with Uchiha-san, nothing at all…she shouldn't even be worrying this much over a first impression. He was raised in a high classed family; therefore, it was okay…right?
Boy, if she had known her first instincts were always the best one, she would've gone after Hanabi.
He kept on turning to the side, staring at her, just gazing at her profile shamelessly. He knew she knew that he was looking at her and did not try to hide the fact either. Every time her eye dart to the left to see him, he would smile at her, making her blush and rivet back to the TV screen, as if nothing had happen.
Until a servant came in asking for Neji, and Hanabi had gone off to a bathroom break.
"Neji-san, Hyuuga-sama asks for your presence in the waiting room," The brown haired maid delivered.
Reluctantly, Neji got off the couch, giving Hinata a look as his eye dart to the boy beside her.
He nodded at Hinata and left quietly. Trying to seem too nervous, the white-eyed girl turned back to the screen, pretending to be interested in the drama.
"Maa, this is kind of boring, don't you think?" Sasuke smiled at her as she stammered an answer.
"A-Ano…I like watching…this," she twisted her fingers. If only he didn't look at her that way!
He didn't answer her, but he didn't stop looking at her either. Hinata said nothing, but ignored the wandering eyes.
"Ne, I think you're really pretty," He tilted his head so he could see the front of her face more.
That was the last he said before she had stood up and left the room awkwardly, saying she had to go to the bathroom.
Tenten was still ranting some nonsense to herself and Hinata took that chance to steal a glance behind her, where the dark haired boy had been placed.
Onyx eyes locked with hers immediately and Hinata reeled back, blushing.
He's been staring at me!
Biting her lip she tried to think of possibilities. Uchiha-san was indeed good-looking; however, he just doesn't attract her like Gaara did.
Wait
Her mind stopped. Did she just admit she preferred Gaara to Uchiha-san?
Well, of course, Gaara has that attractive, mysterious, bad boy, sexy—
Then again, so does Uchiha-san. But she liked Gaara's compliments, if he ever gave any to her. Uchiha-san on the other hand…was just plain freaky.
Maybe he's just being nice? Yeah…that could be it.
There were plenty of other girls prettier than her; he must've just been raised with excellent manners. That's all. There's nothing to be afraid of.
He's not a freaky stalker, schizophrenic…or anything, he was just being nice…Calm down, Hinata…
She let out a deep sigh; she was just getting over paranoid.
Tapping the pen against the table, mildly irritated, Gaara growled under his breath. Why can't he go yet? He finished the damn final, and was it his fault some stupid people were still taking their sweet time?
He looked over his shoulder to see Shikamaru snoring again. That guy. He finished the thing in thirty minutes. It took Gaara around an hour and the other three a bit more than an hour.
Tomorrow is the district matches and they needed to get in shape. Or at least work out a bit, he trusted these guys to do their best. Though they were going against Taka's team. They had won last year, but that was also due to the fact Saji wasn't on the team. Then again, neither was Gaara. That had to be taken into account too.
He had injured his shoulder before the finals and had to step out during both the district finals and the whole regional tournament.
"Pens down." and the clinking of a few pens were heard as they hit the desk. The rest of them stared at the voice, unfazed.
"Congratulations to those who got through this test!" Kakashi-sensei's happy, yet somewhat perverted voice announced to the unenthusiastic groans of the occupants of the room.
Gaara rolled his eyes. Kakashi-sensei might as well taught at an all girls' school. He'd seen how Kakashi-sensei…er…well most of the other sensei's stare at Tsunade-sensei's breasts. Like that wasn't obvious, that woman could use those as a weap—
"Gaara?" A finger poked him.
Yes, that's right, poked. It wasn't a slight tap, a touch or maybe a small shake. It had been a poke, which wasn't a light poke either, or one of those harder taps. The poke had been the ones that fall in the 'haha, I'm going to poke you really hard, just because I feel like it', the kind where the person probably wanted to leave an indent in your skin.
Turning to the side quickly, Gaara gave them his patented 'What The Hell Do You Think You're Doing' glares.
If it had been any other person, they would've shrunk back and curled up in a corner.
However, this was Naruto we're talking about and he retaliated in a 'Duh' tone.
"Sensei said pass your test to the left," he signaled to Gaara's test paper that lied clamped under the other boy's elbow.
Gaara picked up the heavy stack of stapled papers and thrust them into the blond boy's face, "Hn."
Naruto beamed back, "Thank you!" As he did the same and tossed the papers to the unfortunate boy beside him carelessly.
"You are all excused," Kakashi-sensei nodded at them as he counted the papers in front of him.
All five boys slung their bags over their shoulder and proceeded out.
Yup, it was time to work again, Shikamaru noted as he yawned and stretched. How fun.
The coast was clear, all day, as she went out of her way to avoid him at all expenses. Hinata sighed, that boy just made her nervous! There was something she couldn't place her finger on, but just to be safe, she'll avoid any contact with him.
I hope they're not invited over again. Itachi-san is very nice and charming, however, it's Sasuke-san that' I'm worried about
The older boy had a different charismatic charm to him, and that made her feel more comfortable, besides the fact he doesn't stare a hole into her head.
Hinata sighed,
Oh well, I guess I'll just go home…
There was no more tutoring, since it was Furyuu's finals. She wanted to see Gaara, and not to be rude, all the other boys too. They were a lot of fun to hang out with, and she couldn't wait until tomorrow evening.
With the thought of seeing Gaara the next day, Hinata pulled on her backpack and exited the school with a smile on her face.
Unbeknownst, a dark haired figure, surrounded by girls was waiting outside.
"Maa, Hinata-san, I've been waiting for you," the boy turned around and smiled coolly at her.
Her eyes widened, "U-Uchiha-san!"
Waiting for me?
"Let's walk home together," He outstretched a hand to her.
The blue haired girl just stared, with two things running through her mind.
He waited for me…He wants to walk me home…
"Ano, it's okay Uchiha-san," She tried to softly decline, "I can make it home on my—"
"No, it's fine," Sasuke interjected, "We live near each other's anyway. It's not a problem."
Hinata blinked.
Crap, I need a way to get out of this…
Sasuke was nice, but her subconscious told her otherwise. And usually her first instincts are correct, and Hinata would like to keep herself out of trouble that way.
"Oh…but I have to go pick something up…and it would…take awhile, since it's not on the way home…" She rambled as she made up an excuse.
Please buy it…please buy it…
He gazed at her, which made her color.
I hope he doesn't see through my lie…
"Oh," He stared at her, still smiling, though she could tell he was looking her over, "Alright, that's fine. Have a nice day, Hinata-san."
He bowed politely and started walking away as the trail of girls followed him. She thought she heard one of the girls exclaim that he could walk her home.
Hinata let out a sigh of relief as she strolled down the steps slowly.
What am I going to do now? I can't go home yet now
The petite girl gazed up at the milky gray sky. It was still winter, still chilly, as she pulled her jacket closer.
Darn fluctuating weather. I hope it doesn't rain on Gaara's match day
Just then, she was hit with an idea. Why not go pay a surprise visit to the guys? It wasn't like they minded her appearance at their last match.
Then again, today was their practice day; she might just be in the way. She had no business to be there in the first place.
Hinata pouted. What was she to do now?
But wait…
Wasn't today their physics final?
She had tutored them in the subject, so it wouldn't be unsuspected that she showed up today. Hinata could just ask them how they felt about the test and that could be her 'errand' she had to run.
Yes, yes that works very well
With her new excuse in mind, Hinata skipped off to the bus stop.
Gaara exhaled as he landed a punch into his opponent.
"Kiba, pay attention," the red head frowned at his teammate's short attention span.
The brown haired boy shook his head and pointed behind Gaara, "Look!"
The taller boy turned around as Kiba started waving and yelling, "Hey! Hinata-chan! Over here!"
Hinata turned to her right to spot the voice yelling at her. It was Kiba and…oh my oh…
…a shirtless Gaara…
The toned arms and abs, perfectly shaped and tanned skin. He wasn't buff, though it was tight…oh yes, very very tight and even. She must've stopped breathing.
Her face immediately flushed five shades of pink to red until it almost matched the half-naked boy's hair.
Luckily, guys being guys, and not to mention Kiba and the totally oblivious Gaara, they noted her change of color, however were too shot to put two and two together.
Instead, Kiba came up with an equally stupid question, "Hey, are you hot? You look funny."
That only made the girl feel even more self-conscious, but she was glad he didn't notice it.
Neither did Gaara, who answered Kiba in his monotone 'Duh' voice, "This gym's heated compared to the outside and she's wearing hellah layers."
Hinata cracked a smile, "Gaa-uh-I mean Sabaku-san's right. I think I'll just take off this jacket." She pulled off the large gray overcoat. It was really warm in the gym.
"You can set it over here," Kiba directed her to an area of all duffel bags, "Just put it on top of Gaara's bag." He pointed to the nearest one.
She bent down and gently laid her coat beside his bag as she avoided his shirt that was carelessly thrown on top of it.
Hinata tried; oh did she try, but that body was just so…irresistible…
As she was lost in her thoughts, a sudden blur of motion rocketed towards her screaming, "HINA-CHANNN!"
The yellow and orange blur latched onto her, snuggling into her sweater, "You came to visit us!"
The girl blushed at the close contact as Gaara stared with contempt. It wasn't like Gaara hated the guy, no no, Gaara loved Naruto like a brother, however the fact that Naruto was holding onto his girl that—
Whoa…did he just classify Hinata as his girl?
Hahaha…see I told you so! A delightful voice cackled inside him.
That's not amusing
Gaara ignored the inner annoyance. In the past few days he had figured out a way to not listen to the intruder. That was, not to start talking to him in the first place.
Must ignore. Must ignore
"Practice is over for today. Remember to rest well for the finals tomorrow, Divisions A and B," Gaara noted to the two groups, his and another's. They were Division A, the higher ranking, while Division B was for the beginners.
A chorus of "Yes" were heard throughout the gym and Gaara proceeded to put his shirt back on.
Noooooo
A tiny voice in Hinata's head screamed.
Don't cover the beauty!
As immediately as her subconscious said that, her skin reacted in another tomato red.
I can't believe I just said that!
As they finished packing their stuff and headed out the gym, Hinata decided to put her excuse in action so it didn't seem utterly pointless that she had come.
"So…um…how did the final go?" She smiled shyly at the boys, glancing mildly at Gaara.
Playing with her fingers and rocking on the heels of her feet, Hinata stared up at the cloudy night sky. The others had left already, and Gaara was waiting with her at the bus stop. She stole a quick glance at the stoic boy beside her. He had his hands stuffed into his jacket as he concentrated on the crack on the ground.
"Ne, Sabaku-san…" She hesitated as he glanced up mildly at her, "Um…ano, thanks for waiting with me."
He just blinked at her before shrugging nonchalantly, "Temari-nee would kill me if I left a girl standing alone at night."
Hinata smiled lightly. He was just so adorable when he acted like that.
"Well, I'm glad you all did so well on the final…"
He stopped shuffling his feet as he stared up at her, "You were a lot of help, if you didn't know that already."
She blushed as she tried to hold in her happiness. He was complimenting her.
"W-Well…you were quick on the subject also. I think you would do better…if you actually listened during class…"
Hinata gave him a weak smile.
The boy turned and stared at her before chuckling lightly, "Yeah…I guess you're right."
He paused a bit, tilting his head to the side as he kept his gaze on her, "But…you make it more interesting."
"H-Huh?" She felt the color rise.
Wha-What did he mean by that?
Gaara looked down at the ground shyly, shrugging as he tried to explain. Apparently she did not get the right idea of what he said. Though then again, that part was true too.
"You're…good at explaining stuff…"
She giggled, "Oh…well…thanks…"
The stood there in total silence for awhile until Gaara turned to her expectantly.
"Hm…?"
"So…you're coming tomorrow, right?"
She nodded, "Of course! I promised, didn't I?"
He hesitated, "Do you…want me to pick you up…?"
"H-Huh?" Is this going to be…like a date!
"The finals are held at the Hana Center…so it's kind of far…we can pick you up if you want…"
"T-That'll be great!" It was hard to keep her voice from trembling from the excitement, she accidentally forgot who she was talking to, and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Gaara blushed from the close contact, but he was glad she was fine with the situating.
That was when Hinata realized who she was latched onto.
She colored immediately as she stammered for explanation, "S-Sorry about that…I-I just got—"
"It's okay," He coughed lightly, looking away.
A voice suddenly dropped through, "Maa, Hinata-chan, this is where you went."
The two turned around to find the source of the voice.
"U-Uchiha-san?" Her eyes widened.
Crap…why is he here?
"I had to drop by a nearby store to get something," He threw his smirk in Gaara's direction, "I didn't think you'll be here. Why don't I give you a ride home? It might be safer."
"I-Iie…I'm fine…I think I'll just wait for the bus," She stuttered, "I really don't want to bother you this late."
"It's fine, besides, I think Gaara-kun here needs to go home too," He glanced over at Gaara, whose eyes narrowed.
"It's nice to meet you again, Gaara-kun," He smirked.
The red head just stared back dully, "And you are…?"
Seriously, the boy did not register within Gaara's memory, but something told him not to let Hinata go with the guy.
Sasuke's left eyebrow twitched.
How could he not remember me?
"Uchiha Sasuke, recently of Kade, but will be participating with Seito."
He smiled as he caught the look of realization in the other boy's features, quickly, but it was there.
"Oh. Nice to meet you too," Gaara turned around. The bus was coming.
Completely ignoring the other boy, he pointed for Hinata, "I think that's our bus."
She stared back at the red head.
'Our' bus?
Is he coming with her? She boarded the bus, giving Sasuke a quick nod as Gaara climbed on behind her.
"S-Sabaku-san? Is this your bus…?" She asked timidly as they held onto the ceiling railing.
He narrowed his eyes at the disappearing figure in the dark glaring back, "I don't like him."
End: Part IX: Staring Is Rude
I wonder if I updated a little faster this time? Haha, I hope I did, and just for everyone who reviewed and told me to update sooner, I made this chapter a tad bit longer than all my other ones. D Please excuse the grammatical and spelling errors!
Thanks for all the motivation and I'm glad everyone liked this pairing!
Read and Review!
Ame